February 2012
14 posts
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Gentlemanly Cocktails: Liqueur 44
It’s that time of year again, when the finest Spanish oranges make their show. This can only mean one thing to a classy gent: Liqueur 44.
This is an easy, but not a quick recipe - it takes 44 days to make it.
Firstly, the ingredients:
1 bottle of vodka 1 large (navel) orange 44 coffee beans 1 knife 1 sealable jar, just over a litre Granulated sugar (not shown) Now the instructions:
...
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Gentlemen, beware
Yesterday evening I attended an event put together by the people at Hendricks Gin. Whilst you may think that this can only have been an excuse for a knees up, it actually served a valuable public service. You see, there has been much said about the dangers of 2012, what with the Mayans failing to carry their calender on beyond this year, but the real danger has been much less reported. Yes gents,...
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The Classy Gents Guide to Sports: Winter Sports
The Classy Gents Guide to Sports: Winter Sports
Fresh off the back of some brilliant conditions in the Alps, Classy Gents comes at you with some handy tips for the winter sportsgent. Whether you’re flying off the Hundschopf, throwing double cork 1260s, or doing your first falling leaf on the nursery slopes these tips can help you, and the rest of the resort have a better week. So here is a...
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Classy authors always thank their parents
I have just finished reading a book by an American called Chad Kultgen. This is not a book review, but I would encourage people to read it; mainly because it is so outrageous in its sexual graphicness that it will open eyes.
Despite the obscene nature of the book, Kultgen remembers to thank his parents for their encouragement with the following acknowledgement:
Mom, thanks for always...
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A bite to eat: Pitt Cue Co.
Classy gents, off the hiatus and onto your dinner plates… or trays in the Pitt Cue Co. a new barbecue place just off Carnaby St. and apparently being reviewed by every paper in the UK at the moment (the Standard, Times, and Guardian at last count). Fair warning, this is one to be enjoyed around gents and ladies you don’t mind getting a bit messy with (ooh er).
Two of the classy gents team arrived...
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Classy Gent of the Day: 11 February 2012
Ron Johnson
Freedom of speech is important in any society but this Classy Gent can’t help thinking that, particularly over in America, the concept is often perverted by people who want to air their views without challenge.
If you believe silly hateful things then of course you have a right to express that. I, in turn, reserve the right to disagree and express my own beliefs. Ultimately, barring...
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Classy Gent of the Day: 06 February 2012
Jean ‘Django’ Reinhardt (1910-1953)
Django Reinhardt was born into a gypsy family, living in various encampments on the outskirts of Paris in early 1910. He was almost completely illiterate due to the fact that his education ceased at a young age, and he was unable to write or read music. Despite these hinderances, he became a proficient musician, playing by ear and was able to make...
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Gentlemanly Cocktails: The Gin Amazon
A brief post from our gin correspondent, bringing a delicious, but little-known cocktail to wider public attention. Invented by the inimitable Arthur Lowe, and named after his own personal floating bar - the 1885 steam yacht Amazon - the cocktail is, like a true gentleman, extremely elegant and very refreshing.
Amazon, circa 1889
Recipe
Take an Old Fashioned Glass, and add a couple of large...
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Classy Gent of the Day: 05 February 2012
Alan Mathison Turing OBE, FRS (1912 - 1954)
Today’s story of a classy gent, the winner of the Facebook vote on our page involves a shameful aspect of British history, and his tale ultimately ends in tragedy. However, far be it for Classy Gents to censor on behalf of the state, Alan Turing has changed the world in a massive way through his remarkable life not once, but twice.
Described as...
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“It is possible that blondes also prefer gentlemen.”
– Mamie Van Doren
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Classy Gent of the Day: 3 February 2012
Chris Gardner
If you don’t recognise the name Chris Gardner, perhaps you’ll be better acquainted with his face. No? Well, admittedly, it was still a long shot.
Unless you happen to work in financial services over in the States, you’re almost certainly only likely to know Chris from the depiction of him in the 2006 movie: ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’.
If you’re currently unemployed and twiddling...
January 2012
49 posts
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Classy Gent of the Day: 31 January 2012
“Give me the quirky, the off-piste, the stylish” - Stuart Hall
Stuart Hall, OBE
Stuart Hall is not your typical sports commentator.
The man who claims to have first coined the phrase ‘The Beautiful Game” to describe football/soccer is far more idiosyncratic and verbose than your average Ray Wilkins; often to a frankly ludicrous degree, as this quote from the build up to one...
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“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others...”
– David Brinkley
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Classy Gent of the Day: 30 January 2012
The Special One: José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho
Translator, style icon and wit, it’s The Special One. José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho may be Portuguese, but that doesn’t prevent him being a classy gent.
Ahead in the Spanish league, Jose’s Real Madrid look set to be Spanish champions this year. He can add that to his Portuguese, English and Italian titles, alongside two Champions league...
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GQ Best Dressed List 2012
Today saw the release of GQ magazine’s annual ranking of the year’s top 50 Best Dressed Men and it was no surprise to see a couple of previous ‘Classy Gents of the Day’ performing strongly.
Perennial contender Charlie Watts put in another strong showing in 2011, appearing at number 22, but it was Tinie Tempah, described by the magazine as possessing ”true passion for...
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“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a...”
– Robert Heinlein
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“Never strike anyone so old, small, or weak that verbal abuse would have...”
– PJ O’Rourke
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Classy Gent of the Day: 27 January 2012
Danny Trejo
If all you know Danny Trejo for is his body of acting work, or indeed his grizzled visage, you could be forgiven for questioning his appearance in the hallowed halls of Classy Gents.
Let’s take a look at some stats:
In close to 200 film appearances, he has played a murderer in no less than 60, a rapist in around 30, and a murdering rapist in about 20 (Con Air; Spy Kids etc.).
The only...
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Classy Gent of the day: 26 January 2012
John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming “Jack” Churchill
Imagine the usual British soldier in the Second World War, what is he wearing? Probably some kind of canvas coat, wearing some heavy boots, topped off by a tin of Quality Street hammered into a dome. What’s he carrying? I’m sure your mind has leapt for the Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk 1 bolt-action rifle, standard issue for the British Army, and...
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Classy Gent of the Day
William Payne Stewart
This three time major winner was one of the classiest golfers to have played the modern game. He brought to the game a style and charisma that few have matched today. Such was his impact on the game that the PGA Tour has established the Payne Stewart Award for the player who “shows respect for the traditions of the game, commitment to uphold the game’s heritage of...
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On Breakfasting
Experts acknowledge breakfast is the most important meal of the day; therefore this handy guide is presented to ensure you don’t mess it up.
The first step is to turn your espresso machine on.
Wait till the lights stop flashing, and then press the button with the big glass on. You wouldn’t spoil your other beverages with just a single measure, so you shouldn’t be tempted here.
You have around...
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On 'Scrapping'
You are not a thug, so do not act like one. You are a Gent, a man of the people with quick wit and always a smile. On occasion though, a silver tongue cannot get you out of a good scrap. A true Gent should try everything in his power to diffuse the situation, but never run away. If it comes down to it: coat off; tie off; and sleeves up (leave the waist coat on, it looks damn good and if he...
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Classy Gent of the Day: 24 January 2012
Duncan Bannatyne
Famed for his accent, business acumen and infatuation with the County Durham town of Darlington, Duncan Bannatyne is today’s classy gent.
A fervent taxpayer, Bannatyne refuses to deal with those who refuse to share his zeal for Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs, an example of his belief in that most gentlemanly of concepts, fair play. His sense of fair play extends to his...
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“A well tailored suit is to women what lingerie is to men.”
– Unknown
“The most important thing for a young man is to establish a credit… a...”
– John D. Rockefeller
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Classy Gent of the Day: 23 January 2012
Yes, the hat is there to illustrate scale.
Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu (A.K.A. Tinie Tempah)
Standing at an impressive thirteen feet (on his hind legs), the ironically named Tinie Tempah was originally created by the author Charles Dickens in 1985.
Initially envisaged as a love interest for Mr Darcy, following the death of Elizabeth Bennet at the hands of Robocop in his unpenned series of ...
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“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”
– Mark Twain
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Handkerchief
Keep an extra handkerchief in both of your trouser pockets – one for you in case you need it, and one in case you meet a lady in distress. Never use the handkerchief in your jacket pocket – it is for show only.
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Classy Gent of the Day: 22 January 2012
Alfred Pennyworth
When you’ve taken it upon yourself to thwart the crimes of a corrupt city you may notice the housework can get on top of you, unless of course you have the unerring service of an impeccable valet. Equally dapper portrayed by Michaels Caine or Gough, Alfred Pennyworth is the gentleman’s gentleman, the chap’s chap and has been a constant feature in the Batman comic franchise...
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“Socks before or after trousers, but never socks before pants, that’s the rule....”
– Mark Corrigan (Peep Show)
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On Etiquette
Etiquette can often be a tricky business for an aspiring Classy Gent, as he does not want to look too old fashioned and outdated and above all he does not wish to offend those that still cherish gentlemanly manners. As such, the Classy Gents will give you regular tips on etiquette that hopefully clarify your understanding of what the modern day Gent carries out.
The first point should be obvious,...
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“To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend...”
– Muhammed Ali
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A Beginner’s Guide to Ordering and Drinking: the...
The point of this column is not to denigrate the humble pint; more often than not a pint is a perfect tonic for what ails you. The point of this column and indeed future columns is to provide a basic repertoire of drinks so you are never at a loss for an appropriate drop wherever you find yourself. We begin with a classic: the Martini.
1. Do not underestimate this drink
This might sound...
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On Entertaining a Lady 2
Here at Classy Gents we understand that it can be rather tricky to find activities that couples can enjoy together (particularly at the beginning of a relationship!). Don’t worry; we’ve all been there, which is why we’ve decided to share with you our sure-fire secret to winning a ladies heart.
To pull this off, the first thing you’ll need is a lidded silver platter. This is an essential item for...
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“To be truly elegant one should not be noticed”
– George ‘Beau’ Brummell
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Classy Gent of the day: 20th of January 2012
Kapitän zur See Hans Wilhelm Langsdorff (Iron Cross First Class, Iron Cross Second Class, Hanseatenkreuz)
(20 March 1894 – 19 December 1939)
Kapitän Hans Langsdorff takes a smoke as he reads the morning newspaper on the morning before his death.
Perhaps, for some, Captain Langsdorff might be a controvertial choice as Classy Gent of the day. For those of you who haven’t seen Battle of...
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Classy Gent of the day: 19 January 2012
Norman Borlaug
How many peoples’ lives have you saved this year? Obviously most classy men manage to scrape low double digits, what with foiled muggings, smuggling Jews out of Germany, and the charitable foundation you are loathe to lend your name to lest it seem gauche. Maybe you are in the armed forces, a doctor, or a firegent and save a few hundred a year. Sterling work. But today’s classy...
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Keeping your computer classy. →
If you’ve been wondering where our lovely logo came from, it was actually based on the work of the rather excellent simpledesktops.com and, in particular, this masterpiece by Gabriella Denizot.
There’s something innately classy about simplicity, so if you can spy a noisy rabble of a background behind your browser right now, why not give simpledesktops a try?
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Conversation, a perspective
“Women talk face to face but men talk shoulder to shoulder”
The Classy Gents came across the above saying earlier in regards to a community movement trying to get older, mainly widowed, men to come together and share in their passion. This movement is called the Man Shed and encourages men to come along to a communal workshop where they can make or fix things side-by-side. A chuffing brilliant...
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“I love poetry, and a glass of scotch, and, of course, my friend Baxter here”
– Ron Burgundy
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Writing, part 1: Prose
A Classy Gent knows that a beautifully penned letter is much more treasured by the author and the addressee than any digital medium can emote. However, the Art of Writing is fading from our children, and even from those who should know better, as the internet reduces prose to a series of homophonic letters: “Y R U L8?”
It goes without saying that full sentences are the order of the day when...
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Classy Gent of the Day: 17 January 2012
Captain Robert Falcon Scott
Captain Scott reached the South Pole exactly 100 years today. In true gentlemanly style, this legend of a natural historian, even though defeated in the race by Amundsen was magnanimous and thought of others constantly. On his body, found 8 months after those brave men perished, was discovered a book that contained a final letter to his wife. In full knowledge that...
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Gentlemanly Pursuits: Enjoying both a Drink and a...
Every gentleman worth their pepper is aware of the dangers of enjoying a fine cigarette: the shade of your teeth and fingernails can start to clash with your waistcoat, bronchitis makes gurgling ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ into a cheap bottle of port a frightful effort and need I mention the inconvenience of losing one’s breath. All these though pale in comparison to the...